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Genome-wide gene expression profiling in children with non-obese obstructive sleep apnea

Abdelnaby Khalyfa1, Oscar Sans Capdevila, Mohamed O Buazza

  • 1Kosair Children's Hospital Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, 570 South Preston Street, Suite 204, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.

Sleep Medicine
|February 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) alters gene expression in white blood cells, indicating potential inflammatory pathways. This finding in children with OSA highlights the disorder's complex genetic and environmental influences.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common, multifactorial disorder with potential genetic and environmental links.
  • Untreated OSA can lead to serious cardiovascular and neurocognitive issues.
  • The study investigated gene expression changes in children with OSA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify differences in gene expression in circulating leukocytes of children with OSA compared to healthy controls.
  • To explore the biological pathways associated with altered gene expression in pediatric OSA.

Main Methods:

  • Oligonucleotide-based microarray technology was used to analyze gene expression in 40 children (20 with OSA, 20 controls).
  • RNA was extracted from blood samples, labeled, and hybridized to microarrays.
  • Quantitative RT-PCR was employed for validation of microarray findings.

Main Results:

  • Out of 44,000 transcripts, 1217 were differentially expressed in children with OSA (p<0.05).
  • 68 transcripts met high-stringency criteria for differential expression.
  • Analysis revealed significant involvement of inflammatory pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Gene expression in peripheral leukocytes is altered in pediatric OSA.
  • Large-scale genomic studies can offer insights into OSA's mechanisms, including adaptation and end-organ injury in children.
Abstract

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